Nia is practiced barefoot, non-impact, and adaptable to individual needs and abilities.

I discovered Nia in 2003 as part of my graduate training in the Experiential Health and Healing program at the Graduate Institute in Connecticut. The experience was truly transformational! After feeling paralyzed by grief, one Nia session opened the floodgates and allowed me to start moving and feeling alive again. I knew from that first day I wanted to share the magic of Nia with others.

I’ve practiced a lot of different types of movement. Nia is unparalleled. While there is a form and structure, there is also plenty of freedom and individuality. The guiding sensation of Nia is pleasure. The guiding principle is the joy of movement. Together, they make it so that through movement we can achieve a state of wellness in mind, body, heart and spirit.

My Nia classes focus on developing a student’s self-love and ability to feel joy in their bodies.

As a facilitator, I strive to create a loving, mindful and open space for you to experience the joy of movement, self-expression and healing power of the Nia technique.

Nia Class Schedule:

Special Nia class in Seattle on Sunday, March 18, 2018

Join me as I share the newest Nia routine, Ride! Ride focuses on the hands and their connection to the heart. The intent is to condition the whole body by integrating the upper body and lower body. Our hands will guide the way. Again, many thanks to Jason Alan Griffin for inviting me to teach his regular Sunday morning Nia class.

Nia in Dana Point – May 2018

Nia in Dana Point, CA

Explore your Movement Potential! Four weeks of Nia: Dance Into Health

Join me for this introductory series. Nia is a wellness and fitness format that combines the expressiveness of dance, the power and explosiveness of martial arts, and the mindfulness of the healing arts. The foundation of Nia is “through movement we find health.” With over 52 movements that mobilize the base, core and upper extremities of your body, Nia is a holistic practice that creates a pathway for you to explore both your movement potential and capacity for wellness. As you learn to listen and respond to your body, you begin to feel increased joy and pleasure in movement, which inherently improves your well-being. This series is excellent if you are new to Nia or want to deepen your practice.

Classes are one hour and practiced barefoot to soul-stirring music. Everyone is welcome. The choreography is simple to follow and you get to do it your own way. Start where you are and come explore your movement potential!

Promo Video:

Enjoy this short and sweet little promo video created by NiaSeattle first degree Black Belt teacher Jason Alan Griffin as part of the NiaSeattle Visibility Project. Check the NiaSeattle Facebook page for more videos of Nia teachers in Seattle!

Nia in action:

What to wear

Wear loose comfortable clothes that you can easily move and sweat in.
Nia is traditionally practiced barefoot. If, for health reasons, you must wear shoes, please ensure that they are “indoor” shoes only.

What to bring to class

Bring drinking water.
You may want to bring a towel.

Tips for class:

Listen to your body. In Nia, we follow the pleasure principle: if it feels good, keep doing it. If it doesn’t feel good, tweak it until you find what feels good for you.

Do less. Don’t worry about breaking a sweat at first. Instead, connect to your feet. Allow your feet time to develop strength so that you stay comfortable. Increase intensity gradually.

Give yourself time to “learn” the moves. Once your legs are dynamically involved, begin to add more movement of the core and arms. Increase complexity gradually.

Express yourself. Use your voice and breath to stimulate your core. Be yourself and move in your own unique and beautiful way. Let go of fear and dance.

Play. Instead of spending energy on expecting, analyzing, or critiquing, let your inner child come out and open yourself up to having an amazing experience.